HD suspension components from Marquart for the FIAT DUCATO
The Fiat Ducato and its peculiarities
Fiat Ducato drivers complain that even new vehicles are lower at the front than at the back. This is not only a visual problem. The sagging at the front axle also means insufficient suspension travel. This in turn leads to rumbling and the impression of bottoming out at the front of the vehicle.
Many complain of unstable driving behaviour and a rolling structure – especially with alcove vehicles. This can be a particular problem when cornering and driving on roundabouts. The vehicle feels spongy and you often have to make corrections when steering. Impacts are transmitted to the structure and not properly absorbed. Susceptibility to crosswinds is also a key problem. In addition, the chassis of many Ducatos is simply worn out, as this vehicle has been on the market since 1982 as the 280 model and many users are still driving with the original dampers.
Rocking, swaying, rolling in motorhomes?
This indicates that the shock absorbers of your motorhome are too weak or even defective. Campervans are usually based on series-produced light commercials or on a truck chassis that has been modified to carry a higher load. Original Fiat Ducato van shock absorbers are usually not up to the diverse requirements of motorhomes, because the significantly different use is not taken into account and motorhomes almost always drive at the weight limit. The standard chassis is often not designed for this continuous load:
- A completely changed vehicle height and width,
- a long rear overhang,
- additional tanks (movable load),
- a motorcycle bridge at the rear (changed centre of gravity) or
- a boat on the roof (increased centre of gravity).
Not adapting the dampers to these changed requirements is negligent.
Special challenges with the chassis of motorhomes
Marquart offers suspension components for every need for the Fiat Ducato. Stronger and stiffer shock absorbers for the rear axle, stiffer yet comfort-oriented struts for the front axle. In addition, we not only have different characteristics in the compression and pressure stages for the dampers, we also supply the struts with springs tailored to your needs. We have these in stock for you in different thicknesses and heights to suit your needs. You decide how comfortable or sporty the driving experience of your Fiat Ducato will be.
Shock absorbers from Marquart Germany offer you
- Increased stability in crosswinds and when driving over bridges,
- better driving performance in storms and gusts,
- stability on winding roads, no more rocking and pushing out in corners,
- very good driving stability on roundabouts,
- rocking, bouncing and spongy steering are a thing of the past.
Customised solutions for safer driving
We are often asked by Fiat Ducato drivers: ‘What can I do to improve the driving behaviour of my motorhome? What are the advantages of air suspension for my Ducato?’
An air suspension makes particular sense if you want to raise the level of the vehicle or if you want to compensate for uneven ground at the parking space. This applies especially to vehicles with a long rear overhang (centre of rear axle to the end of the vehicle). If you use ferries frequently, for example, or drive onto steep ramps. Air suspension can also be advantageous if you are sensitive to wind. However, air suspension only ever works vertically.
However, the horizontal forces that occur (lateral rocking and swaying and all pitching and rolling movements) are particularly critical for driving behaviour. Progressive (fast-acting) shock absorbers are the first choice for significantly improving a vehicle’s handling. As soon as the body moves out of the horizontal position, it must be held in place by a strong yet finely tuned rebound stage. The pressure stage of our dampers allows rapid compression without allowing the cabin to ‘sink through’.
Marquart shock absorbers with perfectly matched compression and rebound damping on the front and rear axles keep the vehicle safely on track even in precarious situations. No matter which body you are travelling in, whether it’s a Hymer or Knaus, La Strada or Euramobil, Dethleffs or Challenger, or from any other body manufacturer – our chassis optimisation will make your Fiat Ducato drive much more confidently and safely.
For the Fiat Ducato 250 (since 2006), almost any chassis optimisation is possible for us. Front and rear lift kits, load increases or installation of air suspension. And, of course, reinforced Marquart shock absorbers and struts. There are restrictions with Alko chassis. We are happy to accommodate your wishes in finding the perfect chassis optimisation for your requirements. For example, a more comfortable setup, better directional stability, more ground clearance, a horizontal alignment of the vehicle will be the result.
Click on the voices of our satisfied customers below and get an idea of the ways we can optimise the chassis of your Fiat Ducato. Send us an enquiry!
Tip!
The chassis of the Fiat Ducato 250 (on the market since 2006) is also used in the Citroen Jumper II, Peugeot Boxer II, Opel Movano (from 2021) and Toyota Proace (from 11/2023).
The chassis of the Fiat Ducato 230 (on the market since 1994) is also used in the Citroen Jumper I and Peugeot Boxer I in an identical construction.
The chassis of the Fiat Ducato 280 (on the market since 1982) is also used in the Alfa Romeo AR6, Citroen C25, Peugeot J5 and Talbot Express in an identical construction.